Daniel Ricciardo’s podium win inspired by Jules Bianchi
Daniel Ricciardo has managed to get back to the podium in the action-packed Hungarian Grand Prix over the weekend. It is the first time that the Perth native has scored a podium win since finishing third at the US Grand Prix last November. According to Ricciardo, his third place finish in Hungaroring was inspired by Marussia driver Jules Bianchi, who passed away nine months after crashing his car into a tractor at the Japanese Grand Prix in October.
Speaking via the Formula One post-race press conference , Ricciardo talked about his amazing driving display including his collision with Lewis Hamilton and Nico Rosberg at the Hungaroring. Ricciardo thought it was a “crazy race” that cost the Mercedes drivers greatly with Hamilton and Rosberg finishing off the podium, sixth and eighth, respectively, but he said that he credits his podium win to Marussia driver Bianchi.
“Let’s say, I put my heart into everything today,” the Australian said. “I think that’s the way Jules would have wanted it, so I owe that race to him and I’m very grateful to be on the podium, it feels like a victory.”
This is the first time that Red Bull, Ricciardo’s teammate Daniil Kvyat finished second, is back on the podium after what has been a meager first half of the season. Ricciardo might have won the trophy had he not bumped into Rosberg’s Mercedes in the final laps as the two scuffled for second place. The collision forced Ricciardo to pit to have his RB11’s front wing replaced.
Ricciardo, who achieved his best qualifying at the 2015 Hungarian Grand Prix since Monaco, knew that he had it in him to win the race, but he said the clash with Rosberg “ruined” his chances of winning the Hungarian Grand Prix for the second time. He was last year’s winner at the Hungaroring.
Following the thrilling race, Ricciardo has earned 15 points, but retained his seventh place in the World Drivers’ Championships Standings . Red Bull, with 96 points, still trails behind Williams-Mercedes, Ferrari, and Mercedes.
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